Can you FEEL the difference on a cheap upgrade?

Ed · 10 Jul 2007 at 19:01

I've just added a K&N panel filter to the standard airbox and also fitted a much less restrictive Piper cold air feed too. It's on a Vectra 2.2 SRi shown below.

Now, it sounds quiter on idle, throatier on acceleration and also feels like it revs a lot faster too. I'm assuming any noticable gain is pyschological due to the increase in noise it makes. You can't really detect an increase of 1hp on the road can you?

Oblivious · 10 Jul 2007 at 19:02

Nice illegal numberplate. Makes you look like a ***** who cant afford a proper personalised reg.

[TW]Fox · 10 Jul 2007 at 19:03

Interesting it sounds better. I'm after an insurance friendly way of increasing the noise mine makes - did it set you back much?

Ed · 10 Jul 2007 at 19:03

Oblivious said:
Nice illegal numberplate. Makes you look like a ***** who cant afford a proper personalised reg.

Muncher · 10 Jul 2007 at 19:03

No, you won't be able to feel that.

[TW]Fox · 10 Jul 2007 at 19:03

Oblivious said:
Nice illegal numberplate. Makes you look like a ***** who cant afford a proper personalised reg.

Nice flame. Shame it just turned around and burnt you becuase he's merely photoshopped out 2 characters to stop his car being recognised from the picture.

Ed · 10 Jul 2007 at 19:04

[TW]Fox said:
Interesting it sounds better. I'm after an insurance friendly way of increasing the noise mine makes - did it set you back much?

About £50 all in. Insurance didn't care either. Sound it makes is fantastic. Silent on cruise and angry on acceleration.

[TW]Fox · 10 Jul 2007 at 19:06

Thats what I want. Who are you insured with and what did they say?

Ed · 10 Jul 2007 at 19:09

[TW]Fox said:
Thats what I want. Who are you insured with and what did they say?

Norwich Union for all their sins. I told them exactly what parts were changed. The lad asked if I had modified the airbox in any way and how the feed was fitted. I listened to some music for a while then he let me know he's added the details to the policy and there's no change in premium for it. I am 34 and it is only an air filter I guess.

adapt · 10 Jul 2007 at 19:10

spinneR~uk said:
I've just added a K&N panel filter to the standard airbox and also fitted a much less restrictive Piper cold air feed too. It's on a Vectra 2.2 SRi shown below.

How does the Piper cold air feed work, just asking as if your using the standard airbox, have you removed the standard airfeed? Im surprised when you say the filter makes more noise as they don't normally I am thinking that perhaps the airfeed is whats made the difference. May even not close up correctly I might be wrong as I can't see what your talking about? I remember the days of cheap mods on old cars. Simply drill holes in the airbox!

eidolon · 10 Jul 2007 at 19:14

Fox, an aftermarket air filter would be perfect for what you want. I've got a Pipercross on the MGF (standard exhaust) and it's exactly the same as standard up to about 3500rpm, but after that it sounds great. You can drive normally and not notice any difference, but when you want to drive fast, it sounds the part (without being chavvy like some exhausts)

Elephant changed me £10 extra for the filter (although I'm older than you)

Nathan · 10 Jul 2007 at 19:15

Fox, im not sure what the BMW intake is like but on my 306 I replaced the filter with a green pannel and drilled some holes in the bottom, correctly placed so that the air that comes through these holes is still filtered. It sounds just like an open cone now but its insurance friendly

This is the lid thats drilled

Chris1712 · 10 Jul 2007 at 19:19

You get a LOVELY induction roar with these, cold air intake and replacement panel, although the difference in noise wont be (or isnt usually) as evident as an induction kit (cone) it still makes a throaty noise when you want it to.

bigchez · 10 Jul 2007 at 19:20

I think people worry too much about VERY basic mods and their insurance premium. Do you really think that adding a cone filter is gonna put more than about £20 on your policy cost??! :confused:

[TW]Fox · 10 Jul 2007 at 19:22

bigchez said:
I think people worry too much about VERY basic mods and their insurance premium. Do you really think that adding a cone filter is gonna put more than about £20 on your policy cost??!

If it adds 10% thats like £110

Duke · 10 Jul 2007 at 19:22

Replacement panel filter in my 323i gave a bit more noise. Not as much as a cone would but they are crap without a cold feed anyway.

Serj · 10 Jul 2007 at 19:23

bigchez said:
Do you really think that adding a cone filter is gonna put more than about £20 on your policy cost??!

A cone filter added about £45 onto my policy with my previous car. So, yes

Ed · 10 Jul 2007 at 19:24

adapt said:
How does the Piper cold air feed work, just asking as if your using the standard airbox, have you removed the standard airfeed? Im surprised when you say the filter makes more noise as they don't normally I am thinking that perhaps the airfeed is whats made the difference. May even not close up correctly I might be wrong as I can't see what your talking about?

The new air feed comes straight from the air box and weaves down to the front bumper. It's made of flexihose and has a red shiny bell end. It's definitely the filter that makes the noise though. My mate had one on his XR3 and it sounded superb.

adapt said:
I remember the days of cheap mods on old cars. Simply drill holes in the airbox!

So do I. I remember seeing people run their cars with their birds tights over the carb instead of filters. :eek:

bigchez · 10 Jul 2007 at 19:25

[TW]Fox said:
If it adds 10% thats like £110

A cone filter added about £45 onto my policy with my previous car. So, yes

If this is the case then you are insuring with the wrong people to mod a car with then.

Ed · 10 Jul 2007 at 19:26

Chris1712 said:
You get a LOVELY induction roar with these, cold air intake and replacement panel, although the difference in noise wont be (or isnt usually) as evident as an induction kit (cone) it still makes a throaty noise when you want it to.

I was warned off these [cones] because of ambient heat soak making them less efficient.

Duke said:
Not as much as a cone would but they are crap without a cold feed anyway.

Precisely.